Category Expertise Matters
Alyssa Eckroth • January 13, 2025
CPG Category Expertise Matters for New Talent
Does expertise in salty snacks translate to dairy/deli? If you can't take the chance to train new talent in the specifics of your category, Consumer Connection can help you find the right talent with the deep category expertise you require.
As the nation's leading search firm for top sales, marketing, supply chain, operations and manufacturing talent, we earn our reputation daily. Since 1982, Consumer Connection has demonstrated comprehensive understanding and knowledge of all aspects of the consumer packaged goods business.
We know all the key CPG categories and maintain a vast database to track the specific expertise of these candidates. From all categories of Food, mainstream to Specialty/Natural, HBC, Beverage and General Merchandise. If your product is sold through a retail outlet, we can find the right talent for you. For an illustrative list of the categories we recruit in, see below.
We are well networked across all of the CPG channels (manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, brokers and retailers). This gives us the unique ability to promptly identify and secure the talent that best meets your specs.
Categories We Recruit:
- Food
- Natural Products
- Health & Beauty
- Specialty Foods
- Cosmetics
- Food Service
- Beverage- Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic
- Dairy/Deli
- In-Store Bakery
- Automotive
- Housewares
- Lawn & Garden
- Hardware
- Consumer Software
- Toys
- Gaming
- Private Label
- Sporting Goods
- Consumer Electronics
- Marketing Services
- Produce
- OTC
- & More!
Exciting Career Opportunities in Food & CPG: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist The consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food manufacturing industry continues to expand, driving demand for innovative products, efficient supply chains, and skilled professionals. Two exciting career opportunities have opened up for experienced leaders looking to make an impact: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist . Whether your expertise lies in supply chain strategy or food product innovation, these roles offer the chance to shape the future of the food industry. Procurement Manager – Food & CPG Sector The Procurement Manager role is designed for a strategic thinker with a strong background in procurement, supply chain management, and vendor partnerships. This position is ideal for professionals with a proven track record in ingredient sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management. Key Responsibilities: Lead category-level sourcing strategies to align with business goals Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including RFPs, cost modeling, and supplier onboarding Conduct strategic market analysis and mitigate supply risks across global networks Partner with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to qualify new suppliers and materials Oversee pricing activities, cost validation, and forecasting Implement supplier scorecards and performance improvement initiatives Build efficient tools, dashboards, and SOPs to improve procurement execution Ideal Candidate Profile: 5+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in CPG or food manufacturing Expertise in ingredient sourcing, vendor management, and contract negotiation Strong Excel skills and familiarity with ERP or procurement platforms Experience managing both ingredients and packaging procurement is highly valued Collaborative leader with the ability to coach and guide team members This is a high-impact supply chain and operations leadership role, where you’ll play a critical part in shaping sourcing strategies and driving operational excellence in the food industry. R&D Applications Specialist – Food Science & Innovation The R&D Applications Specialist role is perfect for a food scientist or product developer passionate about innovation, application development, and technical customer engagement. This position focuses on creating food and beverage applications that align with consumer trends, with an emphasis on coconut-based ingredients and functional food solutions. Key Responsibilities: Partner with sales teams to identify customer needs and deliver tailored recipe solutions Conduct application development, sensory evaluations, and prototype testing Create compelling customer presentations and product demos Collaborate cross-functionally to bring new products from concept to commercialization Gather and share market intelligence and competitive analysis to inform product innovation Attend industry trade shows and customer meetings to showcase technical expertise Train and support internal teams and distribution partners in technical selling Ideal Candidate Profile: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field Strong background in food formulation, product development, and B2B customer engagement Experience with food ingredients (coconut expertise is a plus) Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to bridge technical and non-technical audiences Creative, team-oriented, and passionate about food innovation This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of food product development, helping bring innovative concepts to life while working closely with customers, sales, and R&D teams. Why These Roles Matter Both positions are critical to the success of fast-growing food and beverage brands. The Procurement Manager ensures that supply chains remain resilient, cost-effective, and scalable, while the R&D Applications Specialist drives innovation and customer solutions. Together, they reflect the balance of operational excellence and creative product development that powers today’s food industry. If you’re looking to advance your career in the CPG and food manufacturing sector, these roles provide an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Why Partner With a Specialized CPG Recruiter? Finding professionals with expertise in procurement, supply chain, and food innovation can be challenging in today’s competitive market. That’s where partnering with a niche CPG recruiter makes all the difference. With deep connections across the industry and a clear understanding of what makes candidates successful in highly specialized roles, a recruiter with CPG focus helps companies: Identify and attract top-performing talent quickly Save time by reducing the noise of unqualified applicants Ensure stronger long-term hires by matching technical expertise with company culture At Consumer Connection, our team includes CPG Recruiters , Food & Beverage Recruiters , Natural Foods Recruiters , Consumer Packaged Goods Recruiters , and Supply Chain & Operations Recruiters . For brands focused on innovation, we also provide access to Category Management Recruiters , Shopper Marketing Recruiters , Beauty Industry Recruiters , and eCommerce Recruiters who understand the evolving landscape. For growing food and beverage brands, partnering with a specialized recruiter isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building strong teams that fuel innovation and growth.
In today’s consumer goods landscape, the line between getting overlooked and getting acquired comes down to your network, your strategy, and the talent you put in place. Recent headlines tell the story. Bubbies Ice Cream was acquired by Marubeni America to tap global distribution and accelerate growth. Unilever acquired Dr. Squatch for its digitally native brand power and ability to scale beyond North America. E.l.f. Beauty’s billion dollar deal for Rhode, founded by Hailey Bieber, shows how community engagement and brand innovation drive value. Hershey’s acquisition of LesserEvil reflects a push into better for you snacking with leaders who are aligned on mission. TSG Consumer’s acquisition of fragrance brand PHLUR highlights the value of investors who protect creative vision while expanding reach. The through line is clear. Acquirers invest in more than products. They bet on people, brand story, cultural fit, and scalable systems. That is where Consumer Connection comes in. Why Consumer Connection is Your Strategic Advantage 1. We are industry insiders, not just recruiters These outcomes did not happen by accident. They emerged from relationships, category expertise, and the ability to recognize authentic growth potential and acquisition appeal. What we bring Deep insight into CPG category trends, buyer motivations, and cultural alignment A curated network of proven leaders who can guide your next phase 2. Top tier decision makers change outcomes Unilever did not choose Dr. Squatch only for its marketing. Strong leadership and cultural connection mattered. The Rhode team’s continued involvement post acquisition preserved authenticity and momentum. How Consumer Connection helps We source and vet executives who bring operational excellence, cultural leadership, and community resonance We support smooth leadership transitions that signal brand integrity to acquirers 3. We save you time and protect focus You should not spend weeks sorting resumes or running interviews that go nowhere. We streamline the pipeline and present only high fit, high impact candidates. The benefit You keep your focus on product, brand story, and market expansion while we run the hiring process You reduce risk, shorten time to hire, and move faster toward acquisition readiness What This Looks Like In Real Time Imagine you are ready to scale and need a Head of Brand Marketing or a CPG Strategy leader who understands influencer led growth, retail partnerships, and cultural traction. We activate our specialized network, evaluate for on brand leadership, and deliver a short list of the most promising hires. With Consumer Connection, you are not just filling a seat. You are building toward the moment when the right buyer calls. Your Golden Ticket to Acquisition Readiness Consumer Connection is more than a search firm. We are partners to emerging and established brands across the consumer landscape. What you gain CPG expertise . Guidance from people who understand what acquirers prioritize today Leadership that matches your brand . Strategic hires who drive scale while protecting your brand DNA Efficiency and precision . No wasted time, fewer mis hire costs, the right leaders at the right time We also meet you where you operate. Our team includes Consumer Products Recruiters , CPG Recruiters , and Consumer Packaged Goods Recruiters who understand the full value chain. For growth in specific verticals, we support brands with Food and Beverage Recruiters , Natural Foods Recruiters , Natural Products Recruiters , Beauty Industry Recruiters , and eCommerce Recruiters . On the commercial and operational side, we place leaders through our Category Management Recruiters , Shopper Marketing Recruiters , and Supply Chain and Operations Recruiters . This breadth helps you build the exact team an acquirer wants to see. Let’s move you from interesting brand to strategic acquisition target. Connect with us at ccinc.org so we can align on your hiring plan and position you to be ready when the opportunity arrives.
